Circular-knitting machine.



E. E. KILBOURN, W. E. SMITH @z I. W. KLBRN.

CIRCULAR KNITTING MACHINE, APPLICATION FILED humm. 1910.

Patented Feb. 24, 1914.

ll SHEETS--SHBET 1.

E. E. KILBOURN, W. E. SMITH L W. MLBGURN;

CIRCULAR KNITTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 21, 1910.

5y 3 W KMWW E. E. KILBOURN, Wt E. SMITH L I. W. KILBCURN.

CIRCULAR KNITTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 21, 1910.

Patented P61024, 1914.

11 SHEETS-SHBET 3.

INVENTUM E. E. KILBOURN, VV. E. SMITH & I. W. KILBOURN.

CIRCULAR KNITTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR.21,1910.

Patented P91024, 1914.

E. E. KILBOURN, W. B. SMITH cz I. VV. KILBOURN.

CIRCULAR KNITTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 21, 1910.

ll...@@.5. Patented Feb. 24, 19m.

11 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

.Imi I will E'. E. KLBOURN, VV. E. SMITH @L I. W. KILBOURDLI CIRCULARKNITTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 21, 1910.

Patented 11610.21, 19M.

1l SHEETS-SHEET 6.

' E. E1 IHLBOURN, VV. B. SMITH L I. W. KILBOURN.

CIRCULAR KNITTING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED 1111111.21, 1910.

menta/1 11111. 21, 111141.

11 SHEETS-SHEET l E. E. KILBOURN, W. E. SMITH L I. W. KILBOURN.

CIRCULAR KNITTING MACHINE.-

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 21, 1910,

Patented Feb. 24, 19M.

11 SHEETS-SHEET 8.

Fl HE,

[NVE/WOM E. EL MLBOURM W. BfSMITH L L W. KILBUUR'CL CIRCULAR KNITTINCMACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR.21, 1910.

l1 SHEBTS-BHEET 9.

RE. KLBOURN, W. E. SMTH 8L I. W KILBOURN CIRCULAR KNITTING MACHINE.

APPLIUATION FILED MAR. 21,1910.

Patented JEeb. 24, i914.

11 SHEET-SHEET 10.

F/GE.

[NVE/vrom Q mmwm W 2b.

Ed' E.. KLBOURN, W. E. SMITH @L L W..KILB0URN.

GIRCULRKNITTING MACHINE.

. 'AIPLIOATION FILED MAR. 21, 1910. wm., A A menwemmm.

11 SHEETS-SHEET l1.

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UNITED STATES GFFICE.

EDWARD E. KILBOURN, WILLIAM E. SIVII'IHv AND ISAAC W. KILPOURN, OF NEWBRUNSWICK, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNORS T0 KILBOURN MANUFACTURING COR-PORATION, OF NEW BRUNSWICK. NEW JERSEY.

CIRCULAR-KNITTING MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

llatented Feb. 24, 1914.

To all 'whom 'it may concern y Be it known that we, EDWARD E. KIL-noURN, WILLIAM E. SMITH, and ISAAC W'. KILoUnmcitizens of the UnitedStates, re` siding at New Brunswick, in the county of Middlesex andState of New Jersey, have invented "certain new and useful Improvementsin Circular-Inittin Machines; and we do hereby declare the ollowing tobe a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as lwillenable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and 'usethe same.

Our present 'invention is an improved knitting machine, the novelfeatures of which enable the lengt-h of the stitch formed by the machinet-o be changed at any point in the article being knit and they alsoenable a machine in' which movable sinkers or-web holders are employedto itself set up or begin an article by) merely introducing a threadinto the-mac ine so as to be engaged by the needles, thus saving muchtime in starting the knitting oi anyl article. .In case a stitch shouldbe dropped the machine will itself pick it up and resume correctknitting'.

In the drawings we have shown our invention as applied to a circularknitting machine of the general type shown in the 'various patentsgranted to Mr. E. E. Kilbourn, more especially Nos. 66,9,730 and 679281In the patents to which reference has been made provisionwa's made forautomatically lengthening the stitches 'of the entire web. @un presentimprovements may be used in place of the devices shown and describedtherein or those devices maybe retained and our improved means added tothe machine, and' the machine made to embody Aboth forms. 'In such casethe older arrangement nl devices .will be used when it is desired to'lengthen the stitches entirely around the web and our presentconstruction when 1t 1s ldesired to lengthen the stitches for the frontor rear half of the stocking or other web.

In the-said drawings,'F1gure 1 is a view in lelevation of the left handend of a-circular knitting machine of the character 'already indicatedwithout improvements embodiedtherein. Fig. "2 is a like view et part ofthe rear of sucha machine. Fig. 3 is apartial front view. Fig. t 1s'4 averticalsectiowof thev needle` cylinder. Figs. 5

and 6 are views ot' the needle jacks used with the upper cam cylinder.Fig. 7 is a view of the needle jack of the lower cam cylinder. F 1g. 7a(Sheet three) is a detail view showing three flat wire needlescorresponding to those shown in Figs. 5, 6 and 7, but drawn to a smallerscale. F ige. 8 and 9 are views of two different forms of movable sinkeror web holder forming a part of our machine. Fig. 10 is a partial insideview of the upper cam cylinder. Fig. 11 is an under side view of partsshown in Fig. 10. Fig. 12 is an outside view of the parts shown 1n Fig.10. Fig. 13 is a view showing a detaill of the cani construction shownin Figs. 10 to l2 inclusive. Fig. 14 is a plan view of the means forcausing the knitting cam to vary the lengths of stitches. Fig. 15 is aview in perspective of the pattern wheel and connect-lons for changingthe position 'of the knitting cam. Fig. 16 is an inside View of abracket secured at one side of the cam cylinder and devices connectedtherewith. Fig. 17 is a view of the outside of said bracket; Fig. 18 isa transverse section of the devices shown in Fig. 17 taken on line -xFig. 17. Fig. 19 is a section of said bracket on line y--y Fig. 17. Fig.20 is a top or plan View of said bracket. Fig. 21 is a partialhorizontal section thereof. Fig. 22 is adetail view showing a certainrelative relation of the bracket and a lever operating in conjunctiontherewith. Fig. 23 is a sectional view taken on line z--e Fig. 22. Fig.24 is a detail view of the parts shown in Fig. 22 in a differentposition. Fig. 25 is a sectional view on line c4-mt Fig. 24. Fig. 26vis-anothe'r View of same parts. Fig. 27 1s an enlarged plan view of thepart of the cam cylinder shown in Fig. 14. Figs. 28, 29' and v30 aresectional-views illustrating details of the cam cylinder and connectedparts. Fig. 31 is a partial View on an enlarged scale of the inside ofthe lower cam cylinder. Fig. 32 is a like view of the outside of thesame parts. Fig. 33 is a top or plan view of the lower cam cylinder.Figs. 84 and 85 are sectional views showing details of construction. Fig36 isa partial underl side vlew of same cylinder.

In the machine shown in the drawings, A is the main or power shaft,extending longitudinallyof 'the' machine beneath the bed plate ofthesame. B- is a shaft extending transversely of the bed plate of themachine and is connected by gearing with the cam cylinders to give thema constant rotary motion-during circular work' and a reciprocatingmotion to the upper cam cylinder during reciprocating Work, as fullydescribed in the patents hereinbefore referred to. The needle cylinder Cis of the general form shown in said patents, but 'at 0 is provided witha circumferential notch or groove in which is located a small spiralspring band C for holding the needle jacks elastically in the grooves ofthe cylinder.

The needle jacks used in the machine are of the form shown in Figs. 5, 6and 7. Of those shown in Figs. 5 and 6, c and c are those operated bythe upper cam cylinder, while the jacks c2 are connected with theneedles operated by the lower cam cylinder. Each of these jacks isprovided with the rebounding shoulder or incline o3 which, when theneedle is depressed by the knitting cam, is brought down against thespring band C. WVhen the nibs of the needles are engaged by the risercam incline thereafter the spring band acting on the incline tends toraise the jack and needle thereby aiding in the initial movement of thejacks and needles upward. The jacks c, o are also provided with inclinedrebounding shoulders c", cl and the jacks c2 with the shoulder c5. Theseshoulders engage the spring band C when moved to their highest pointupward in knitting and the spring band in like manner assists theinitial downward movement. This construction is of very materialadvantage, and enables the machine to be run at a higher rate of speedthan is possible without it.

The fashioning needle jacks c are formed with the notch or recess cbelow the shoulder c4. When these needles are raised out of operativeposition in narrowing, the shoulder c* passes under the band C', thespring yenters the recess c and holds'the jacks and needles in theirelevated position until depressed to their active position in theoperation of widening. In addition to these forms of needle jacks,others of like construction having longer or shorter nibs may beemployed, common in knitting machines of various forms for variouspurposes. This feature of varying the length of the nibs of jacks orneedles, is of such common use that illustration and particulardescription thereof and designation by reference letter is unnecessary.It is to be understood that the i narrowing. and widening mechanism ofour present machine is substantially the same asthat shown and describedin the said patents. In place of needle jacks as described, we. mayemploy flattened wire needles having the inclines and shoulders referredto, as shown for example in Fig'. 7 a, Sheet 3. 1

To the upper end of the needle cylinder is secured the bed D and camdisk T for a series of movable sinkers or web holders t alternating withthe needles of the needle cylinder in the usual way. These web holdersare of the form shown in the drawings and described hereafter.

In the patents hereinbefore referred to, two cam cylinders are employed.We provide our improved machine with a like number, the upper camcylinder as in the machine shown in the patents, knits the back half ofthe stocking and the lower cylinder knits the front half. While forconvenience the term half is used to designate the part knit by theupper and lower cam cylinders, it is to be understood that this termdoes not limit the applicants to an exactly equal division of theneedles between the cams as it may some time be found advisable to havea greater number of needles in one cylinder than the other. In thedrawings K is the upper cam cylinder cam connected therewith, see Figs.10 and 12, and K2 is the needle supporting ledge. The cam K is securedto a block lo movably supported in a recess in the cam cylinder. A stripla on the top of the cam cylinder extends across the recess in which theblock is placed and is secured firmly to the cam cylinder by screws 7a2,7a2. To the block 7c below the cam K is secured the plate 702x whichforms the lower part of the needle cam groove below the cam K and thelower part of the riser cams k3, 7c". At its inner side the plate k2* isprovided with flanges c, h5, see Fig. 11, extending on each side, andbetween these ianges and the block lo are placed reduced portions of theplates la, k7 which are cut away at the upper part of the same to formthe upper part of the riser cams. These plates are secured to the insideof the cam cylinder and the reduced portions form a. guide for the block7c in its movements to vary the position of the cam K. A bolt ks passesthrough the strip k and is secured to -the block k. A. s iral spring 7:9extends between the head o the bolt los and the strip k and serves tohold the block and the cam in an elevated position against the strip. Inthis position the cam will only draw down the thread t form the shorteststitches made by the machine except this be changed by the raising ofthe nosing.

It will be seen that the flanges las, L5 overlap the edges of the platesle, Il:7 and avoid the forming of a fissure or line of division directlyacross the bottom of the' cam groove that might be engaged by the nibsof the needle jacks. The inner upper corners of the reduced portions ofthe plates lcs, k7 are cut away or rounded to prevent these parts frompresenting a. sharp shoulder when the cam' ,Kis moved downward and theupper outer' corners of the'ii'anges- 765,' c are also rounded or cutaway in the same manner.

and K the knitting.

The cam K is depressed to increase the length of stitch by the followinginstrumentalities. f

To the outer side of the block is secured the arm or projection 11:10the outer end of which is provided with inclines 7c and It. At one sideof the projection l, a lever L is pivoted to the cam cylinder, at Z to aplate or bracket L', secured to the outer side of the cam cylinder. SeeFigs. 14, and 22 to 27.

Adjacent to the smaller end or head ZX of the lever L, two bolts orscrews Z Z2 pass downward through threaded apertures in the lever L.These bolts or screws have their lower ends rounded and are in such aposition that when this'end of the lever is thrown inward they willimpinge upon the inclines 7c and k12 of the projection icl", and movethe cam K downward. rl`he bolt or screw Z is in line with and willengage the incline Z111 and the bolt or screw Z2 is in line with andwill engage .the incline 7*;12. These bolts or screws are each providedwith a cramp or jam nut Z8 to hold them firmly in the position to whichthey may be turned.

On the stationary flange surrounding the base of the upper cam cylinderis mounted a bracket M, see Figs. 1G to 26 inclusive. This bracket isprovided with two vertical slots in which are movably mounted blocks m,m. rlhe block or slide m is shorter than the slot in which it is placedand a spring m2 is placed beneath it holding it normally in the upperpart of the slot and against the plate m secured to the top of thebracket.v

The block or slide is held within the slot by the plate m4 secured tothe outer side of the block or slide and extending on each side of theslot and by the knocker cam m secured to the inner side of the slide.

The block or slide m is in like manner shorter than the slot in which itis mounted and is normally held in the lower part of the said slot by apin n inserted in said block or slide. Said pin extends outwardly andengages a cam slot a in a plate n2 secured to a slide N, which ismovably mounted on the base of the bracket M by screws or pins n4, a4passing through horizontal slots as, n into the base of the bracket. Theblock or slide m is provided with or has secured to it on its outerside, a retaining plate m and on its inner side the two knocker cams m7,m8. The cam m7 has two cam grades the lower one 'mix extends outward aless distance than the cam grade mi.

The outer end of the shaft B is provided withmeans to actuate a patterncylinder H through pawls /z/ and t and ratchet h2, secured to the saidcylinder. The pattern cylinder is mounted on a shaft H and gears with aspur gear I on a pattern wheel I'. The arrangementis such that thepattern wheel makes one entire revolution during the knitting of asingle stocking, and as set forth in the patents to which reference hasbeen made, this pattern wheel brings about certain changes in theoperation of the machine.

ln addition to the features of construction shown in said patents, thepattern wheel is provided with an outwardly extending liange ix andrisers t' are provided which may be placed on the inner side'of saidflange so that at the time desired they will engage one arm of a bellcrank lever z". The other arm of the bell crank lever is pivoted to alink 2, see Figs. l, 2, 3 and l5. The link 2 is in turn pivoted to anarm j secured to a rock shaft J mounted in bearings secured to the topof the bed plate of the machine. The shaft extends rearwardly to nearthe rearward side of the machine and is there provided with an arm jconnected by a link j2 to an arm y'3 of a rock shaft J', extendinglongitudinally of the machine at the back of the same. Nea-r theopposite end of the shaft J an arm j4 is secured thereto. Said arm j*extends upwardly and at its upper end has an eye through which is passeda rod or link jf. Aspring j surrounding the rod bears against the innerside of the arm i4 and the opposite end of the spring bears against acollar I7'7 on the rod j5 which, in this instance, is secured in placeby a cotter js. A Cotter j passes through the rod y' on the outer sideof the arm jt. The other end of the rod j is pivoted to a pin n? securedto the slide N. The rock shaft J has secured thereto a coiled spring jlsurrounding the same and so connected to the shaft and to the frame ofthe machine, that the said spring tends to move the arm [i4 and rod joutwardly drawing the slide N in such position that the pin n of theslide m will be in the lower part of the cam slot n in the cam plate nl.The spring also through the connections ja, jz, j, rock shaft J and armj', link 2, holds the lever t in Contact with the inner side of theflange X on the pattern wheel -I' or against the risers when they arebrought in contact with said arm. It will thus be seen that the slide Nis moved in both directions by spring pressure which enables the slide Nto be operated in a satisfactory manner without the extreme nicety ofadjustment of its connections with the pattern wheel that would beotherwise required.

In knitting circular work the lever z" ordinai-ily engages the innerside of the flange on the 'pattern wheel and the knocker cams mT and 'msare in their lower position. The cam cylinder rotates in the directionofthe arrow Figs. 22 and 24 to bring the head of the lever L to thebracket' M before the tail of the same.

Assuming that the head of the lever L is in its most outward positionand the block come in contact with the cams of the block or slide m'.The tail of the lever being in a higher horizontal plane will take thecourse indicated by the arrow and dotted line in Fig. 24 and will comein contact with `the knocker cam mi. The tail Zz of the lever will thenbe forced inward throwing the head Zx outward, freeing the knitting camfrom the pressure of the screws or tappets Z, Z2 which will thereupon beraised by the spring fr to its highest position as shown in Fig. 28 toknit a short stitch. Thereafter the lever during the operation of thecam cylinder will take the course indicated by the arrow 1 and dottedline in Fig. 22 and will not be moved as it passes the bracket M. Shouldthe lever z" now engage a riser i', on the pattern wheel I', this leverthrough its connections will move the slide N to bring the pin n intothe upper horizontal part of -the slot n. This will raise the slide mwith the knocker cams 'mi and m into its higher position. The continuedforward movement of the knocker cam cylinder will move the head of thelever L over the cam m5, as before described, and will bring it incontact with the knocker cam m8 which will throw the head of the leverinward bringing the bolt or tappet Z into engagement with the incline7cm, depressin the knitting cam. The plate or brac et L adjacent to thehead of the lever L, is provided with a boss Z6 in which is mounted thespring bolt Z7. The spring tends to force the upper end of this boltagainst the underside of the head of the lever L and the lower face ofthe tail is provided with a recess shown in Fig. l2 with which the boltengages when the said lever is moved by vthe cam m8 engaging the head ofthe lever, in which case the parts will be in the position shown -inFig. 29, that is, when the lever has been moved to cause the tappet-Z toengage the incline L11. The engagement of this bolt with the recess willhold the lever from accidental displacement. The lever may be providedwith recesses of like character to be engaged by the bolt when the leverhas been moved to the other positions described if preferred, but it hasbeen found that this is not necessary as the lever will remain in theother positions to which it is moved vwithout any retaining means.

In knitting ladies hose, on beginning the stocking at the `top of the'leg, the pattern wheel will raise the nosing Cx which forms the upperend of the needle cylinder and give a lengthened stitch entirely aroundthe web. This continues until the calf has been knitted when thev stitchis gradually shortened until the normal length is reached as explainedin the patents to which reference has been made.

In case the stocking is to be strengthened or spliced on the back, atthe point that the additional thread is thrown in, a riser i on thepattern wheel raises the lever d and moves the slide N to raise the camsm7 and f 5 to their higher position. The continued revolution of the camcylinder will cause the lever L to assume the middle position as justexplained, lowering the knitting cam K and lengthening the stitch. Thiscontinues until the beginning of the narrowing operation for knittingthe heel.

At the close of circular work the cam cylinder is left in a position inwhich on the first reverse movement thev lever L will pass the bracketM. As the tail Zz of the lever passes the bracket M it passes under thecam m7 and the lever is not moved. The head ZX of the lever', however,engages cam m5 and is thrown into its most inward position, the pin Z2engaging and passing the incline la to the position shown in Fig. 30-anddepressing the knitting cam K to its lowest osit-ion. The position ofthe bracket M is such that the lever L will not come into engagementwith the cams of the bracket during the remainder of the reciprocatingknitting for the toe or heel.

lf the bottom of the stocking is to be reinforced the slide N. ismaintained vin positio-n to keep the cams mi and m8 in their higherposition, and as circular knitting is resumed the lever L is againcarried past the bracket M land the tail of the lever engaging the camgrade m the lever is thrown into the position occupied by it during thesplicing of the back of the ankle, causin the upper cam cylinder to knita stitch o they same length as duringthe splicing opera'- tion. This iscontinued until the toe' is reached when the stitch will be againlengthened as in knitting the heel. That is to say on the firstreversing movement the head ZX of the lever L strikes cam m5 (see Fig. 26) pushing the head`in to its fullest extent and setting the cam for thelongest stitch, as in the case of the heel.

lVhen the toe is completed, it is to be noted, the machine must beplaced in position to knit the upper part of the leg of another stockingand with the tightest stitch. At this point therefore, the lever z"passes from the riser or series of risers z' and causes the knocker camslide m to drop to its lower position. This brings the cam m" in theplane of the' tail Zz' of the lever L, and on resuming circularwork-thejt'ailll 'strikes cam mi, and throws the head ZX to itsoutermost position thus allowing the knitting cain to return to itshighest position for knitting the shortest stitch.

In order to make the operation of the knocker cams and lever L moreeasily understood we. will briefly reca itulate the various posit-ionsof the saine c uring the knitting oa stocking.

1. Knttng Zeg with tight stft0/zV.-.Head lx 'of lever in outermostposition, knocker cams in lower position, head ZX strikes, depi'essesand passes over knocker cam m5 in each course. (Fig. 22.)

2. Knitting leg Iwith high splice above lieeZ.-Knocker cani slide israised by pattern mechanism, head lx strikes knocker cam l 11i/Sandpushes head half in, lowering knit- 1 tingy cam and lengthening stitch,head ZX continues to depress and pass over knocker Y cani m5 ineachcourse, but tail Zz will merely pass under knocker cam m7 (Fig. 24;).As'

this kiiittin cani only o crates the needles Ifor the baer of the stocing the stitch re- 4,mains as set during the complete revolutions offthecam cylinder.

3. Knitting heel-On first return reciprocating movement the head Zxstrikes knocker cam m5 and is pushed in to greatest extent depressingknitting cam to set longest stitch.

'-'Ifphe ltail yZz'is now in outermost position but doesvnot strike anyof the cams during reciprocating work. (Fig. 26.) l

4. Knttz'ng.s0Ze.- he knocker cam slide still being in elevated osition,on resuming "circular work after y tnitting heel tail Zz strikes knockercam mit and throws head l to median position setting knitting cam forsole stitch. (Fig. 24.)

5. Knitting toa-On first reciprocationi head l strikes knocker cam m5and is moved in to greatest extent,-setting extra long stitch for toe;after the toe is knit slide m g is lowered, and on resuming circularwork r to commence leg of next stocking, the tail Z strikes the cani mTthrowinf head ZX all the l way out, and setting knitting cam for the Yshort or tight sti-tch.

`The lower cam cylinder U is in like inanf lner provided with a movableknitting cam 4 0', see Figs. 31 and 32 and this cam is provided with anoutwardly extending projeci tion having like inclines. rllhe cylinderhas also a. lever I which is a counterpart of the lever L and isoperated by a bracket F havings cams m7 and m similar to those of thebracket M; The bracket l does not have der as there is no necessity forproviding for lost motion. The cams of the bracket I f are raised andloweredby a slide Q which is operated in a manner similar to the slide iN by devices connecting it with the pattern l wheel I. In this lower camcylinder, 0 is l the needle supporting ledge. A little in ad- Vance ofthe knitting cam O this ledge is cnt away to a lower level o. and a caniR engages and depresses the nibs of the needles tothe lower level.

A riser cam R is movably mounted in the cylinder with its uppermostpoint normally i below the level o. The cam R is, in this instance,secured to a block r which has a part r ext-endin upward inside of thegear teeth ot' the cy inder but outside of that part of the cylinderextending above the said teeth. This upwardly extending -part isprovided with an outwardl extending projection r2 from which exten s anarni r3. The part r2 at one side of the same is formed with two inclinesor bevels r", 15. Adjacent to this side of the part- '12 is a springpressed slide S which is provided with a pointed or double inclined ende extending toward the part r2 but passing by the extreme end adjacentthereto. the position shown in Figs. 34. and 32 thc slide holds the camR from being moved the cam R is raised the incline r* engages the end sof the slide and forces it back against the tension of its spring. Whenthe cam R has reached its higher position the spring forces the end s ofthe slide S beneath the part r2 and into engagement with the inclinel rfand holds the cani iii the position to which it has been moved, The caniR `can be raised or lowered by hand or automatic means controlled by thepattern cylinder or a pattern wheel may be employed for the purpose.

The cani R is of less thickness than the cams R and O. The ledge o is ofSullicient height to enable'the needles resting thereon to take thethread from the main thread guide. By supplyin a splicing thread carriedat a higher eevation than the main thread, and employing needles havingnibs of different lengths any given portion of the front of the stockingcan be spliced or reinforced with the appropriate length of stitch. Indoing this such needles as are not to take the reinforcing thread areprovided with nibs of a length that will not en age the cam R whenraised and those tiat are to take the rein- 4forcing thread will beprovided with a longer nib to engage the cam R.

Whenever the cani R is raised to its higher position the needles withthe longer nibs will be raised by the cam siiiiciently to take thesplicing or reinforcing thread and when moved downward by the knitting jcam O will also take the main thread and knit them together into theweb. In such case the cam U will be depressed by the lever P and itscontrolling device to l lengthen the stitch. rIhese parts will be"arranged to be called intoaction when for cams being capable ofoperating all of said `the stitches formed by the needles operated anypurpose it is desired to lengthen the stitches on the front of the legof the stocking, for example when it is desired to throw in anadditional thread to strengthen the web at the knee of childrensstockings.

The devices for moving the cam of the lower cylinder'are most clearlyshown in Fig. 15. To automatically control this cam the pattern wheel isprovided with an addi-l tional lange ix or the flange xi is made ofdouble width to which risers i may be secured in such positions as tomove the lever P when desired through the connecting mechanism. Suchmechanism in this case is the bell crank lever z', link 02, rock shaftJ0, with its arms j), 3'0, link j, rock shaft J0', its arms j3 and j,and rod oi' link 7'05 connected with slide Q, the same being merely aduplication of the devices for actuating the cams for moving the leverL.

What we claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is zl. In acircular knitting machine, the combination with a circular series ofneedles, a plurality of independent cams each of which operates a numberof consecutive needles of the circular series of needles, said needlesby conjoint operation, land independently actuated means for adjustingeach of said cams to change the length of thereby.

2. In a circular knitting machine, the combination with twoindependently operable cam cylinders each lprovided with a knitting cam,one of said knitting cams operating the needles for knitting the backportion of the stocking and the other of said cams operating the needlesfor knittin the front portion of the stocking, and in ependentlyactuated means for changing the length of the stitches formed by each ofsaid sets of needles and the cam operating in conjunction therewith.

3. In a circular knitting machine, the

combination with two independently operable camv cylinders, eachprovided with a knitting cam, one of said cams operating the needles forknitting the back portion of the stocking, and the other of said camsoperating the needles for knitting the front portion of the stocking,each of said cams being provided with means for independentlj7 by theneedles operated thereby, and means for actuating said independentadjusting means conjointly to vary the length of the stitches in theentire course.

4. In a circular knitting machine, the combination with twoindependently operable cam cylinders, Aeach provided with a knittingcam, one of said knitting cams op i erating the needles for knitting theback i l adjusting the length of the stitches formed i l portion of thestocking and the other of said cams operating the needles Vfor knittingthe front portion of the stocking each of said cam cylinders beingprovided with means for varying the position of its knitting cam tocorrespondingly vary the length of the stitches, and for holding saidcam in its adjusted position during the entire rotation of the camcylinder, whereby said cam or cams may be set in adjusted position androtated without affecting the operation of the needles operated by theother cam.

5. In a circular knitting machine, the combination with the stitchforming mechanism, of means for changing the length of all thestitchesof the web at once, means for changing the length of thestitches in one part of the web and independent means for changing thestitches in another and different part of the web, and means forindependently operating each stitch changing v vknitting stockings, thecombination with the stitch forming mechanism, ofv means for changingthe length of the stitches of the stitch-forming mechanism for knittingthe front of the stocking, independent means for changing the length ofthe stitches of the stitch forming mechanism for knitting the back ofthe stocking and controlling devices for bringing said stitch changingmeans into operation conjointly to change the length of stitches all theway around the tube, and independently.

7. In a circular knitting machine, the combination with twoindependent-ly operable cam cylinders, each provided with a knittingcam, one of said cams operating the needles for knitting the back of thestocking, and the other operating the needles for knitting the front ofthe stocking. means for adjusting and holding the cani for operating theneedles which knit the back of the stocking in a plurality of differentvertical positionsl` to lengthen the stitches to different extentsduring the knitting ot' the leg, heel, sole, and toe, whereby saidadjusting means may be operated and permitted to remain in adjustedposition for a plurality of courses withoutatfecting the needleswhich'knit the front portion of the stocking.

S. In a circular knitting machine for knitting stockings, the'combination with the stitch forming mechanism of means for enlarging thegage of the stitches formed. by the stitch `forming mechanism for therear part of the leg, independent means for enlai-ging the gage ofstitches produced by the stitch forming mechanism for the front of theleg. means for actuating said stitch enlarging means for the Aback ofthe leg, when knitting the portion thereof above the heel, means foractuating said stitch enlarging` ing both of said stitch enlarging meansto i enlai'ge the stitches ot' both stitch forming mechanisms for frontand rear oft' the stocking` when knitting the portion of the footadjacent to the toe pocket.

S). In a circular knitting machine,thecom hination with a circularseries of' needles, a cani cylinder, a cam carried thereby t'or engaginga number of consecutive needles only of said series. a second camcylinder, a kuit` ting cam carried thereby for engaging only the needlesnot operated by the other cam, means for depressing one of said camsinto and holding it in al plurality of different positions other thanits normal position, whereby the needles operated thereby can be made toknit a normal stitch and stitches of a plurality of different sizes,according to the adjustment of the cam, without affecting the operationof the other needles, and Whereby said adjustable cani may be completelyrotated in any position to which it may be adjusted without affectingthe needles operated by the other cam.

10. ln a circular knitting machine, the combination with a circularseries of needles, of a cam cylinder, a vertically adjustable knittingcam carried thereby, a plurality of devices i'or depressing said cani todifferent extents, means for bringing one or other of said devices intooperative relation with the cam, a certain number of consecutive needlesof said seiies being provided with nibs for engaging said cam, anindependently operable cam cylinder, a knitting cam carried thereby, theconsecutive needles of the series not operated by the first mentionedcam being provided with nibs for engaging the said second mentioned cam,and independent means for vertically adjusting said second cam to changethe length of the stitches formed b v the needles'operated;

thereby.

l1. ln a circular knitting machine, the combination with a series ofneedles, of a cani cylinder provided with a down 'ardly f and upwardlyextending groove for engag- 1 ing the nibs of the needles, actuatedthereby to lower and raise the same, to eect the j formation of astitch, the portion ot said cani cylinder forming the upper edge ot saidgroove, and portions ot the lower edge 1 of said groove beingsimultaneously vertically adjustable, and said movable portions iforming the lower edge of said groove, being pro-vided at cach side ofthe lowest part of the 'groove with portions overlapping contiguoiisstationary portions forming part ot' j the lower edge ot said groove. tofacilitate j the passage of the needle nibs across the meeting edges ofsaid fixed and movable portions of the cam.

l.. lu a circnlariknitting machine, thc

combination with a series of needles, of a knitting cam provided with adepressing Cain grade, and an elevating grade, said depressing gradebeing vertically adjustable, and the portion of the elevating gradeadjacent to the lowest portion of the depressing gi'ade being verticallyadjustable, the fixed and movable portions ot' the elevating gradehaving overlapping portions, to facilitate the passage of the needlenibs from the adjustable portion to the fixed portion of the elevatinggrade.

13. In a circular knitting machine, the combination with a series ofneedles, of a knitting cani provided vs ith a depressing cam grade, andan elevating grade, said depressing grade being vertically adjustable,and the portion ot' the elevating grade adj acent to the lowest portionsof the depressing grade being vertically adjustable, the fixed andmovable portions of the elevating grade having overlapping portions andsaid overlapping portions liaving their upper edges adjacent to theirend portions beveled to t'acilitate the passage of the needle nibs fromthe adjustable to the fixed portion notwithstanding the adjustments ofthe cani.

14. In a circular knitting machine, the combination With a knittingcylinder, a series of' needles therein, a cam cylinder, a verticallymovable block in said cylinder, a depressing cam secured to said block,an elevating cani having fixed portions secured to said cylinder andadjustable portions secured to said block, the adjustable portion havingits lateral edges lapping the adjacent edges of the stationary portionot' the elevating cam, means for depressing said block f in the camcylinder and means for restoring said block to normal elevated position.

15. In a circular knitting machine, the combination with a knittingcylinder, a Series of needles therein, a cani cylinder, a verticallymovable block in` said cylinder, a depressing cam secured to said block,an elevating cani having fixed portions secured to said cylinder andadjustable portions secured to said block, the adjustable portion havingits latei'al edges lapping the adjacent edges of the stationary portionof the` elevating cam, means for depressing said block in the camcylinder. and means for restoring said block to normal elevatedposition, a plurality ot' actuating devices for depressing said block toa plurality ot diflerent positions and pattern mechanism for controllingthe operation of said actuating devices.

1G. ln a circular knitting machine, the conibinatiou with a camcylinder, oi a needle depressing cam carried thereby, and adjustablevertically to form stitches ot different lengths. a horizontally movablelever, mounted on said cylinder and provided with means for depressingsaid cam, a vertically yielding knocker cani located on a stationaryAneedle `depressing cam carrie part of the machine in the path of a partof said lever, for actuating said lever when the cam cylinder is movedin one direction, said knocker cam having a grade to engage said leverand depress the knocker cam when the cam cylinder is moved in theopposite direction.

17. In a circular knitting machine, the combination with a cam c linder,of a thereby, and adjustable vertically to form stitches of dit'- ferentlengths, a horizontally movable lever, mounted on said cylinder andprovided with means for depressing said cam, a vertically yieldingknocker cam locatedon a stationary part of the machine in the path of a.part of said lever, for actuatin said lever when the cam cylinder ismove in one direction, said knocker cam having a grade to engage saidlever and depress the -knocker cam when the cam cylinder is moved in theopposite direction, va separate vertically adjustable knocker cammounted on a stationary part of the machine for engaging said lever whenthe cam cylinder is moved in a direction to depress said yieldingknocker' cam, and pattern controlled mechanism for operating saidvertically adjustable knocker cam.

18. In a circular' knitting machine, the combination with the needlecylinder and needles, of a cam cylinder provided with a verticallymovable depressing cam, a lever mounted on the cam cylinder' andprovided at one end with a head carrying actuating devices for movingsaid cam to a plurality forcing the said head of different positions andhaving a ,tail on the opposite side of its point of pivoting, in adifferent horizontal plane from its head, a stationary part adjacent tothe cam cylinder provided with movable devices for inward to differentpositions to bring one er other of said actuating devices into operativeengagement with said cam, and for engaging the tail of said lever tomove said head outward to diii'erent positions.

19. In a circular knitting machine, the combination with the needlecylinder and needles. of a cam cylinder provided with a verticallymovable depressing cam, a lever mounted on the cam cylinder and providedat one end with a head carrying actuating devices for moving said cam toa plurality ot' different positionsand having a tail on the oppositeside of its point of pivoting in a. different horizontal plane from itshead, a stationary part adjacent to said cam cylinder` verticallymovable devices carried thereby, having portions for engaging the headand tail of said lever, and pattern mechanism operatively connected withsaid devices for adjusting them so as to move the lever and said camactuating devices carried thereby to dierent positions.

20. In a circular knitting machine, the combination with the needlecylinder and needles, of a cam cylinder provided with a verticallymovable depressing cam, a lever mounted on the cam cylinder and providedat one end` with a head carrying actuating devices for moving said camto a plurality of different positions and having a tail on the oppositeside of its point of pivoting in a different plane Jfrom its head, astationary part adjacent to said cam cylinder, a yielding knocker camcarried by said stationary part, adapted to be depressed by said leverduring circular Work, and to actuate said lever When the cylinder ismoved reversely. j

21. In a circular knitting machine, the combination with the needlecylinder and needles, of a cam cylinder, provided With a verticallymovable depressing cam, a lever mounted on the cam cylinder and providedat one end with a head carrying actuating devices for moving said cam toa plurality of dierent positions and having a tail on the opposite sideof its point of pivoting in a different plane from its head, astationary part adjacent to said cam cylinder, a yielding knocker camcarried by said stationary part, adapted to be depressed by said leverdurin circular Work, and to actuate said lever W en the cylinder ismoved reversely, a

slide on said stationary part, knocker cams carried thereby for engagingthe lever, and pattern mechanism operatively connected with said slide.

Q2. In a circular combination With the needle cylinder and needles, of acam cylinder provided with a vertically movable depressing cam, a levermounted on the cam cylinder and provided at one end Witha lever carryingactuating devices for moving said cam to a plurality of differentpositions and having a tail on the opposite side of its point ofpivoting in a different plane from its head, a stationary part adjacentto said cam cylinder, a yielding knocker cam carried by said stationarypart, adapted to be depressed by said lever during circular Work, and toactuate said lever when the cylinder is moved reversely, a verticallymovable slide on said stationary part, a knocker cam onsaid slide forengaging the head of the lever, and

moving it inward to a diiierent distance from that to which it is movedby said yielding knocker cam, a plurality of knocker cams for engagingthe tail of the lever and moving it different distances, and means formoving said slide to dierent positions.

23. In a circular knitting machine the combination with the needlecylinder, and needles, and a cam cylinder provided with a knitting camfor engaging the nibs of the needles, of an elastic band surroundingportions of the needles, said cylinder being provertically movableknit-ting machine, the y i so manana vided with means for retaining saidband in engagement therewith, the portions of said needles adjacent tosaid band being provided with rebounding shoulders, for engaging saidband previous to the close of their' movement in one direction toslightly distort said band, and impart an impulse in the reversedirection to the needles, the por- Y tions of the needles reciprocatingwithin said band having straight exterior edges.

24. llii a circular knitting machine thc combination with the needlecylinder, and

needles, and a cam cylinder provided with a knitting cam tor engagingthe nibs of the Q needles, of an elastic band surrounding portions otthe needles, said needles being provided witli rebounding shoulders,above and below said band for engaging said band and slightly distortingit previous to the close of their upward and downward movements, tofacilitate the reversing oil the direction ot' movement of the needles,and to relieve the action ot the knitting cam on the nibs theieof, saidneedles having the exterior edges of the portions between the saidshoulders,`

straight,

25. ln a circular knitting machine the combination with the needlecylinder and needles, and a cam cylinder provided with a knitting camitor engaging the nibs of tile needles, of an elastic band surroundingpor-` g tions ot' the needles, said cylinder being pro vided with meansfor retaining said band in engagement therewith, the portions of saidneedles adjacent to said band being provided with rebounding shoulders,for cngag v ing said band previous to the close of their .movement inone direction, said shoulders being inclined outwardly from the verticali slightly distorted and an impulse in the reverse direction is impartedto the needles, the portions oi said needles reciprocating within saidband having their exterior edges straight.

2G. ln a circular knitting machine the combination with the needlecylinder, and needles, and a cani cylinder provided with a knitting camfor engaging the nibs of the needles, oft an elastic band surroundingportions ot' the needles, said cylinder being provided with means :'orretaining said band fin engagement therewith, the portions ot' j saidneedles adjacent to said band being pron I|vided with reboundingshoulders, for engaging said band previous to the close of theirmovement in one direction to slightly l distort said band, and impart animpulse to the needle in the reverse direction, the portions of saidneedles reciprocating within the band having theirexterior edgesstraight, l the ashioning needles being also provided with notchedportions below said shoulders l for engaging said band when thefasliionin i needles are raised out of operation to hold i them ininoperative position.

ln testimony whereof we affix our signa.- f tures, in the presence ofwitnesses.

EDWARD lil. hllLBUUlEtN. ,l Wllillililld E. tllldlTl-l. 1 LSAAC lW.llllildfllllthl.

l lllliriiniaivi d., hitman, l JOHN lniciison,

l Sernin. l?. l'Wifi-inria 'titi

